How to Support Local Farms and Food Businesses

Farmers are some of the hardest working people out there and oftentimes work very long hours to take care of their products. They tend to face a lot everyday with droughts, floods, insects, and much more. Personally, I feel as if some of their work is under-appreciated. If you feel the same and are interested in local food, there is a lot you can do to support local agribusinesses.

One thing you can do is shop at farmers markets. By doing a quick Google search, you can easily find locations local to you that have weekly farmer's markets. In the last decade or so, this is one of the preferred ways that farmers are able to sell their product directly to the consumer. Purchasing items from farmer's markets can help your local farmer keep their operations going and as a result you can find some beautiful, fresh foods.

Another fantastic way to get involved and support your local farms is to sign up for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Over the last 25 years or so, signing up for a CSA has gained a lot more popularity and is a great way to get fresh, seasonal produce from a local farmer. If you are unfamiliar with the way a CSA works, in short, you pay for a certain "share" or membership and in return you get a box of seasonal produce each week. There are many advantages for both you and the farmer if you decide to do this. For the farmers, they get to market their food early on, while also receiving early payments to increase their cash flow. For you, the customer, the health benefits for eating fresh produce is very beneficial. Also you could be exposed to new foods that you may not normally eat and can find new ways of cooking. It's also beneficial as you get to know your local farmers and develop new relationships and connections.

Next, although it is something simple, making charitable donations to your local farm is a great way to support local farms. One of the great benefits from this is the fact that donations to local farms are tax deductible. This means the amount of taxes that you owe on your income will be reduced as your reported income will be lower, depending on your donation. Any little bit helps, and I'm positive that any farm you donate to will be extremely grateful.

Finally, if you really want to get more involved, visiting a farm and lending a hand is a great way to learn more about where your food comes from. A lot of farms gladly accept volunteer help, and every hand makes a difference. Many farmers endure long days of hard work during the season, and any help for them is greatly appreciate. If you want to develop a great relationship with your local farmers, this is definitely a great way to do it. Some farms that are more established will have designated visitor days where you can see how they harvest and process food. An activity like this is a great educating and bonding experience if you choose to do so with your family.